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Here's 10 things that happened most recently:
Here's the 10 most recent posts:
Travelpayouts just released a new research-based guide — “What Hurt in 2025 and How to Fix It in 2026: A Guide for Travel Bloggers”
Throughout 2025, we spoke with travel creators from all over the world to understand what’s really happening in our industry — what worked, what failed, and what we’re all planning to change next year. The guide was created together with bloggers who already went through all the challenges of 2025, so it’s based on real experience.
The idea behind the guide was simple: to uncover the biggest challenges travel bloggers faced in 2025 and provide practical solutions for 2026. Over 1,000 comments from bloggers worldwide were collected, covering the struggles that really mattered — SEO, traffic, AI, burnout, and income.
Reading the guide, you’ll find real insights paired with actionable solutions: every challenge comes with ready-to-use tips, tools, and resources from Travelpayouts, so you can start applying them immediately and grow your earnings. Experienced bloggers also share their predictions for 2026 and explain how to prepare for the changes ahead.
The guide doesn’t just focus on problems — it shows how to turn your blog into both a creative space and a stable source of income. It’s perfect for anyone who’s faced drops in traffic, algorithm changes, or struggles to diversify revenue. Plus, the strategies come with social proof: they’re used by successful Travelpayouts bloggers who are already earning reliably and sharing what works.
What’s inside:
✅ 6 key challenges travel bloggers faced in 2025
✅ Insights from 1,000+ industry professionals
✅ Expert commentary from successful creators
✅ 20+ actionable tips to grow and protect your income in 2026
✅ A $25 welcome bonus for new Travelpayouts users
Get the free guide today — and get your blog ready for 2026.
Did work in my case. Thank You for the link.
Doesn't work, no guide in mail - tried several times, but no luck.
Just after the buzz of World Travel Market in London, [Bristol Travel Massive](www.travelmassive.com/posts/bristol-travel-massive-183509028) gathered travel professionals at the [Moxy Hotel Bristol](www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/brsox-moxy-bristol/overview/) for an evening [exploring how to create fairer, more balanced partnerships](www.travelmassive.com/events/bristol-travel-massive-fairer-tourism-discussion-with-international-speakers-7548516253) across the global tourism supply chain. The Moxy’s bar area, with its quirky co-working vibe and colourful art reflecting the area’s history, provided a cool backdrop for discussion.
The panel, *Diverse Perspectives: Redressing Power Imbalances Between Supply & Demand for Fairer Tourism*, brought together three international voices who each champion community-led approaches to travel and was moderated by [Emily Downes](www.travelmassive.com/@emily-downes), Bristol Travel Massive chapter leader.
* [Chantal Potgieter](www.linkedin.com/in/chantal-potgieter-484b871aa/) of [Themba Travel](thembatravel.com) offered both UK tour operator and South African DMC perspectives, describing how she collaborates with local women to co-create meaningful travel experiences.
* [Caglar Gokgun](www.linkedin.com/in/caglar-gokgun-31695515b/) of [SGA Travels](sgatravel.co) in Türkiye shared insights into his company’s gender equality programme, focusing on education for young women and ensuring tourism benefits are distributed beyond traditional hotspots.
* From Nepal, [Raj Tamang](www.travelmassive.com/@raj-tamang) of [Responsible Adventures](responsibleadventures.com) discussed how his business empowers local communities through innovative itineraries and a strong focus on diversity, equality, and inclusion.
Across the discussion, themes of fairness, sustainability, and collaboration resonated strongly. The panellists examined how tour operators and DMCs can work together more equitably, the risks of commodifying local innovation, and how sustainability initiatives should always consider local context.
A big thank you to Chantal, Caglar, and Raj for sharing their perspectives, and to [Moxy Bristol](www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/brsox-moxy-bristol/overview/) for kindly hosting the evening.
👉 Stay connected with tourism professionals in Bristol. Join our [Bristol Travel Massive](www.travelmassive.com/posts/bristol-travel-massive-183509028) to be notified of upcoming events and connect with other members. See you at our next event!
📸 Photos thanks to [Emily Downes](www.travelmassive.com/@emily-downes) and [Heather Cowper](www.travelmassive.com/@heathercowper)
Coliving has been growing rapidly over the last few years, offering a new approach to shared living that emphasizes community, collaboration, and meaningful connections.
This course on Coliving Community Facilitation offered on Udemy presents a powerful opportunity for those who want to lead these environments with skill and purpose. With over 5 hours of content, this course has been refined time and time again in order to help deliver the best educational experience.
Hi everyone! 👋
My name is Johnny and I've been involved in the coliving scene since I first came across it by chance in 2018 in Bucharest, Romania. Back then, coliving was barely even a thing. Now, there are even dedicated websites specifically to help you find coliving spaces, see which ones are community-oriented, and now even a course on how to facilitate the communities within 😉
Long story short, I ended up staying at many coliving spaces and even opening and operating two of my own. At some point during that time I realized that there is a lack of educational resources specifically in regards to community facilitation for coliving spaces. Time and time again, I would go to a coliving space that promised certain things but failed to deliver. Some called themselves a coliving space when they were no more than just a serviced apartment. Others did indeed get it right and when I stayed at one of these places it was always amazing!
My vision is to help educate the coliving industry with my online course (link below) so that residents will have the best possible coliving experience.
The coliving industry is growing and I want to help it grow well 😀
Why this matters:
Coliving spaces are more than just shared housing. They are living ecosystems built around shared values, intentional engagement, and vibrant communities. Facilitating such communities is no easy task!
By investing in your skills as a facilitator, you’re equipping yourself not just to manage a space but to shape the culture, boost participation, and drive long-term community health. All of this ultimately helps a coliving space become more successful.
What you’ll learn:
✔️ What is coliving and how it differs from conventional shared living.
✔️ How to build a community in a coliving space.
✔️ How to maintain a coliving community.
✔️ How to grow a community in a coliving space.
✔️ How to increase community engagement in a coliving space.
Who this is for:
✔️ Aspiring or current community facilitators in coliving spaces.
✔️ Coliving operators or managers looking to upskill their community leaders.
✔️ Event coordinators, community builders, social entrepreneurs and changemakers who are drawn to the coliving / community-focused lifestyle.
Why you might take it:
If you’re passionate about creating spaces where people live better together, share more meaningfully, and contribute to each other’s growth, this course is for you. It’s not about managing a property, it’s about facilitating culture and building community resilience. Community is key in a good coliving space!
👉 Travel Massive members, get 30% off with this link: www.udemy.com/course/coliving-community-facilitation/?couponCode=99DDFB53E7A25C3D0678
Sign up to our newsletter to get more educational coliving content: www.colivingeducation.com
Thanks to everyone who attended Travel Massive Morocco's [networking event in Casablanca](www.travelmassive.com/events/travel-massive-morocco-sunset-at-exe-hotel-skybar-casablanca-1114728188) last month at the stunning [Exe Hotel](www.eurostarshotels.co.uk/exe-casablanca.html) Skybar for an evening of authentic connections and industry insights.
The event was organized by [Youssef Khaliss](www.travelmassive.com/@khaliss-youssef-3187779342) of Eurostars and [Christine DePalo](www.travelmassive.com/@christine-depalo) of [Journeys and Zen Morocco](journeysandzen.com), with assistance from [Pilar Avila](www.travelmassive.com/@pilar-avila) from [Free People Riad](www.freepeopleriad.com). The event brought together a great group of travel enthusiasts and tourism professionals in Morocco's business capital.
Sometimes the best conversations happen when it's just the right people in the room. We spent the evening trading stories, discussing what's working (and what's not) in Morocco travel, and actually getting to know each other instead of just exchanging business cards.
The intimate atmosphere of the skybar created the perfect setting for these meaningful exchanges - the kind where real connections happen.
The group represented diverse perspectives from across Morocco's travel ecosystem, creating rich discussions about the industry's opportunities and challenges. These intimate meetups prove that quality conversations often matter more than large crowds.
Exe Hotel Skybar provided an inspiring backdrop for our Casablanca gathering — with its modern ambiance and sweeping city views setting the stage for building deeper community connections.
Thank you once again to everyone who attended, and if you're in the travel space in Morocco and want to join us next time, shoot us a message. We'd love to have you at our next event!
AI Road Trip Planner is a car travel planner that allows you to create ready-to-drive routes between point A and point B in minutes — with the option to save and export to Google Maps.
Choose a route style: Scenic, Direct, or Cultural. Then personalize the trip by adding places and adjusting stops. You receive a clear, complete plan without spending hours on research.
Hi Travel Massive community,
Over the last while I’ve been working on an AI Road Trip Planner where the AI handles the hard work. You enter point A and point B and get a few route options: scenic, cultural, or direct. Each route includes 4-6 waypoints, and you can add your own.
Right now it’s an MVP. I have many ideas for features and how the product could evolve, but at this stage the most important thing for me is feedback from travel enthusiasts. I’d be very grateful for any of your thoughts and recommendations.
Link: airtrackbot.com/road-trip-planner
Happy to discuss. Your feedback would be super valuable.
- Niki
Dear Travel Massive community,
We have some great updates on Textomap we'd like to share with the community!
We’re super excited to introduce our latest feature:
Create maps from images and photos that can be linked to a location!
✨ What you can do:
• Transform static itinerary maps into interactive ones with links, photos, and descriptions.
• Identify locations directly from photos.
• Explore and learn from historical maps, events, and even paintings!
Discover other powerful features like creating maps from text sources or using ChatGPT to generate maps automatically.
Check it now on textomap.com
Cheers,
Dario
Love this! So many awesome features available for bloggers now!
Thanks to everyone who attended this month's [Kazakhstan Travel Tech Discussion](www.travelmassive.com/events/travel-massive-almaty-meetup-2025-9905940908) hosted by [Almaty Travel Massive](www.travelmassive.com/posts/almaty-travel-massive-876365886) at [Royal Tulip Almaty](www.instagram.com/royaltulipalmaty/) on October 22nd. The event was part of the [Central Asia: Digital Aviation](www.travelmassive.com/events/central-asia-digital-aviation-2-almaty-1192736710) conference which attracted hundreds of attendees from across Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
Here's a recap from our presentations with photos from our networking event (scroll down) — we hope readers find this article insightful and helpful to understand the trends and opportunities in Kazakhstan!
Meet our Travel Tech speakers
The session was moderated by [Leonid Pustov](www.travelmassive.com/@leonid-pustov), Travel Massive Almaty Director, and featured the following experts from the Kazakhstan travel tech and tourism industry:
* [Maksat Tabylganov](www.travelmassive.com/@maksat-tabylganov) (Head of Halyk Travel, Halyk)
* [Masha Michurina](www.travelmassive.com/@masha-michurina-1028927497) (Head of Air Tickets Distribution Team, My Agent Kazakhstan)
* [Daurzhan Kopzhanov](www.linkedin.com/in/kopzhanov/) (Senior Marketing, Almaty Tourism Bureau)
* [Yerkin Tikenov](www.travelmassive.com/@yerkintikenov) (Director, Incide Travel Research / Head of Commission, Public Council, JSC National Company Kazakh Tourism).
Article image #0
*Meet our Kazakhstan Travel Tech Discussion Panel — Leonid Pustov, Maksat Tabylganov, Maria Michurina, Daurzhan Kopzhanov, and Yerkin Tikenovl.*
Kazakhstan Transportation Trends
The session was opened by [Maksat Tabylganov](www.travelmassive.com/@maksat-tabylganov), Head of Halyk Travel.
[Halyk Travel](halyktravel.kz) is the first ecosystem service in the [Halyk superapp](play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kz.kkb.homebank&hl=en), launched in 2020. In total, the Halyk application is used by 8 million people. Halyk Travel offers flights to scheduled and charter destinations, railway tickets in Kazakhstan, bus tickets in the CIS and outbound Tours.
Maksat shared the statistics of the public transportation segment and tour package market of Kazakhstan in 2024 shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Kazakhstan travel market key metrics in 2024
| Segment | GMV, billion KZT | GMV, billion USD | Number of tourists, million | Online penetration |
| | | | | |
| Air tickets (1) | 675 | 1,25 | 14,7 | 59% |
| Rail transportation (2) | 166 | 0,31 | 21 | 80% |
| Bus transportation (2) | 255,6 | 0,48 | 56 | 5% |
| Tour package (3) | 676 | 1,25 | 1,08 | 15% |
Sources: 1) Civil Aviation Committee/Ministry of Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, IATA.com; 2) Kazinform, The Astana Times, eQonaq, wttc; 3) Touristik Kamkor Fund, Kompas, Zakon.kz
Key highlights of the Kazakhstan travel market:
* Kazakhstan’s travel market is entering its digital maturity – Over half of all bookings now start online, and the next phase is ecosystem integration – connecting finance, loyalty, and travel.
* Customer ownership is the new competition – Winning in travel today means not just selling a ticket, but owning the customer journey -before, during, and after the trip.
* Ecosystems are redefining the market – Halyk Travel’s integration into the Halyk super app bridges travel and finance, turning transactions into long-term relationships.
* Automation is the biggest gap in B2B – Many local agencies and hotels still operate manually. Digitization and API connectivity will drive the next growth wave.
* Data and personalization will define the winners – The future belongs to platforms that understand traveler behavior and can create smart, contextual offers in real time.
* Halyk Travel is building the foundation for the next decade – the goal is to make travel seamless, trusted, and financially rewarding - all within one national ecosystem.
Kazakhstan B2B Travel Trends
Maria Michurina, Head of Air Tickets Distribution Team at [My Agent Kazakhstan](myagentonline.kz), led the second presentation with an overview of the business-to-business (B2B) travel market in Kazakhstan.
My Agent KZ is an airline and rail tickets consolidator and b2b-tool for travel agencies. The official launch in Kazakhstan was in February 2024. There are 599 connected partners including major IATA agencies, travel agencies, tour operators and business travel agencies.
Maria shared her vision of trends in the b2b market of Kazakhstan.
* At the moment, b2c market is shifting toward marketplace-style distribution.
* Banks are increasingly adding travel as one of their product verticals, capturing a significant share of the retail (B2C) segment.
* The corporate sector still tends to rely on large traditional travel agencies to comply with travel policies.
* Smaller agencies serving their own client bases continue to meet VIP-service needs — both for individuals and corporate customers.
* Tour operators also maintain strong positions and are expanding their own content portfolios for clients.
Maria shared her vision of the requirements for the product of a b2b ticket provider from the local market.
* Content enrichment – Not just retransmission of GDS data, but also additional information that we still cannot reliably obtain from NDC;
* Virtual interlines – they have existed for a while, but whereas they used to be mainly a way to save money, now — when most airlines operate in different systems — they’ve become the only viable option for certain combinations.
* Standardization of airline inventory – we must ensure a consistent customer experience both for classical GDS airlines and for those distributed via less common PSS platforms such as Asman Air or Centrum Air.
* Improving SLA and customer experience – Thanks to AI, we can accelerate service handling and start selling through suppliers we previously avoided due to SLA limitations.
Almaty Tourism Bureau at TravelTech Panel
[Daurzhan Kopzhanov](www.linkedin.com/in/kopzhanov/) (Senior Marketing) from [Almaty Tourism Bureau](kamilaluk.kz/visiteng) (a non-profit organization established to promote Almaty as a tourist destination on the international stage) provided a presentation on international promotion, data science, marketing and brand growth — here are the key speech points from his presentation.
1. Strategic International Promotion
* Almaty Tourism Bureau is actively promoting Almaty internationally as a must-visit destination in Central Asia.
* Focus on 11 priority markets, including Korea, China, Middle East, Turkey, and Europe.
2. Data-Driven Audience Segmentation
* We use detailed audience segmentation to tailor campaigns by season, region, and traveler behavior.
* Tourist flow analytics are conducted by country and season to optimize market entry timing.
3. Performance Marketing & Retargeting
* Introduced conversion-focused digital advertising strategies since 2024.
* Retargeting tools help re-engage interested users and drive bookings.
4. Airline Co-Marketing Collaborations
* Co-branding campaigns have been launched with major airlines like Turkish Airlines, AirAsia, and China Southern Airlines.
* These collaborations reduce marketing costs via barter placements and increase visibility through trusted carriers.
5. Brand Growth Through Influence & Content
* Expanded reach through influencer partnerships, video storytelling, and cross-channel presence (Meta, TripAdvisor, Expedia).
Thanks to our Paximizer for supporting our event
A big thanks to Paximizer and their team for sponsoring the session, and providing gifts to our speakers to thank them for sharing their industry insights.
[Paximizer](paximizer.com) is a next-generation customer data platform built for the modern airline economy—connecting every moment of the passenger journey from booking to arrival. It unifies data across loyalty, check-in, and in-flight systems to deliver a single, intelligent view of each traveler. With seamless integrations across airline ecosystems (PSS, DCS, CRS, RMS, FFP) and alignment with IATA data standards and GDPR, Paximizer transforms raw data into actionable insight—helping airlines anticipate needs, personalize experiences, and capture more value from every flight.
👋 Stay connected with Travel Massive Almaty. Join our [Telegram group](t.me/travelmassive_kz) and the [Almaty Travel Massive](www.travelmassive.com/posts/almaty-travel-massive-876365886) to be notified of upcoming events and connect with other members. See you at our next event!
Almaty Travel Massive community is open to communication. Please, feel free to contact me if you have any ideas or questions.
Is there any infrastructure for mobile homes in Kazakhstan? I visited Kazakhstan several times, such a beautiful country.
Interesting that banks are adding travel to their portfolio in this market - we've seen the same pattern in the US market over the last few years from retail banks
Has this become popular with tourists?
This is mostly a customer loyalty - potentially also a revenue generating play - for the retail banks for their customers. Some retail restrictions get lifted when pricing is private such as situations like this
Very interesting to see the online penetration; and that it is higher for rail. I've been to Kazakhstan last summer (Altai region & Almaty). I tried to book my bus Almaty-Bishkek online and it was painful LOL
1) No translation in English, even when using the embedded translation in browser
2) They do not accept foreign cards (classic!! :D)
3) I had to go to the bus station and they only accepted cash :D
FlatTrip is a cozy travel app that helps you build trips or find ready-made routes from other travelers.
Tell us how you like to travel - cozy, wild, romantic or lazy and FlapTrip will craft a unique route in seconds.
This idea was born when I was planning a roadtrip across Germany.
I had to collect everything in one place, make sure I didn’t miss anything, find beautiful spots along the way, and create an optimal route. I also wanted to add some vibe places to get to know the culture better all within my budget.
The trip itself lasted 21 days, and the planning took around two months after work. During the process, I tried several existing travel planners, and in the end, I ended up with a huge Excel sheet and a billion scattered notes on my phone.
But that’s when I thought, it would be so cool to have an app that helps you organize your trip by yourself, without too many steps. Ideally, it would let you share plans with friends and even suggest interesting places along the way.
That’s how the idea for FlapTrip.app was born — an app that helps you plan vibe-based routes.
I’m building it with a small team of passionate people who also love traveling.
Now I’m looking for people who feel connected to this idea, if you’d like to be an early adopter or get involved in any way, I’d love to talk!
Here I’ll be sharing product decisions and small stories about how and what we’re building.
I truly believe in community-driven products and I think travel apps especially live for their users. So I really hope to find the right people here!
Feel free to text me if you’d like to discuss anything!
👉 We’re inviting curious travelers and creators to test our app before anyone else. Join the beta, help shape what we build, and be part of something playful.
Hey Ana,
Thanks for sharing your travel app! I signed up but haven’t received any email yet. I’m guessing beta access is being sent manually?
I’d love to share some thoughts that might help as you refine your product. I recently wrote an article about trip planning apps that you might find interesting:
👉 www.travelmassive.com/posts/why-most-travel-planning-startups-miss-the-mark-554943365
I also left a comment on a post from Mitrip, another planning app tackling similar challenges:
👉 www.travelmassive.com/posts/mitrip-673438987
In short, I’d recommend focusing on:
- User value: Would your app have helped you plan a better trip across Germany (or the same trip quality but faster). Every trip planning app focuses on "crafting unique routes in seconds". But there is a reason why it took you 2 months to plan your trip (research, comparison, route optimisation, time/budget constraints optimisation, etc.). Does your product solve all this and provide you with the same flexibility as Excel and your notes do?
- Positioning: What makes your product truly unique? (specific angle, type of traveller, expertise on a country / region, etc.)
- User acquisition: How you will attract users in a cost-efficient and proven way?
- Business model: How you will make money? (freemium, affiliate, ads, etc.)
I know this might sound a bit critical, but it’s meant constructively. Having strong answers to these questions early on will save a lot of time and money later. That said, I like the vibe/mood-based planning concept and your clean design!
I wish you all the best!
Hey Benoit!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such thoughtful feedback, really appreciate it 🙏
And yes, you’re absolutely right, early access is still manual for now, as we’re testing the onboarding flow and early user interactions before opening it wider.
I also completely agree with your note about AI-driven trip planners. Many products in this space put all the focus on the AI part and that’s exactly what we’re not doing. We’re building FlapTrip as a human-first planner, not just an AI route generator. AI quietly supports the process, but the product itself is a full planning ecosystem.
We took the best features from traditional trip planners: things that actually help people organize and built them into a super user-friendly interface tailored for a younger audience (mostly Gen Z and early Millennials).
The goal is to make the whole experience feel modern, intuitive, and a bit playful, more like something you want to open.
Unlike many other apps, we’re not building a giant internal POI database or pushing sponsored content.
Instead, our recommendation model focuses on relevance, suggesting places that truly match each user’s vibe, style, and budget. The system learns from user behavior and gently introduces fresh, non-obvious ideas they might love but wouldn’t have found otherwise.
We’re currently focusing on Northern Europe, starting with Germany and Sweden, markets that are open to experimentation and have strong early-adopter communities.
And because our product is so community-driven, we want users to not just plan trips, but also share inspiration, exchange routes, and be part of the ecosystem itself.
I’ll definitely read this article, it sounds very aligned with what we’re thinking about.
Would love to stay in touch and exchange insights as we grow - I’m sure we’d have a lot to discuss!
Warmly, Ana ✈️
CheckinAway is your go-to travel blog for authentic experiences and expert travel insights. We’re Paul and Hristina, London based, travel-loving couple who have explored over 40 countries, seeking out the best cultural experiences, well-kept secrets, and upscale stays across the globe.
Hello everyone 👋
We’re the creators behind CheckinAway.com, a European travel blog where we share curated travel guides, upscale hotel reviews, and personal experiences from our adventures across Europe and Asia.
Our blog reaches around 25,000 readers each month — mostly based in Europe and North America — and we focus on showcasing both iconic landmarks and lesser-known gems. ✨
We love collaborating with tourism boards, hotels, and travel brands to create authentic, SEO-driven stories that inspire curious travellers to explore deeper.
Looking forward to connecting with fellow creators, tourism professionals, and destinations here on Travel Massive. If you’d like to collaborate or simply chat travel, feel free to reach out! 🌍✈️
👉 Learn more about us at checkinaway.com/about/
Great blog. Let me know when you're heading back to Germany, we'd love to share what our 17 heritage cities known as Historic Highlights of Germany are all about.
Hi Sandra - thanks. Of course, we'd be glad to learn more.
Hello Paul and Hristina. Loving your website, and as an SEO and a Tour Guide, the way you do it. As someone coming from Montenegro, a land of incredible landscapes and contrasts, I am curious to know whether you have plans on exploring this amazing country?
Best,
Danilo.
Hi Danilo, thanks for your comment - yes we'd love to visit Montenegro, we heard great things about Kotor bay particularly.
Thanks to our [Dublin Travel Massive](www.travelmassive.com/posts/dublin-travel-massive-311524526) community who joined our [Founders Fireside Chat](www.travelmassive.com/events/founder-fireside-chats-at-stripe-dublin-with-bobby-healy-5883529722) at Stripe’s stunning new [Wilton Park offices](stripe.com/newsroom/news/stripe-opens-new-dublin-hq) for an evening of insights and lively discussion. Stripe generously supported the event with craft beers and gourmet sandwiches, setting the tone for a relaxed but inspiring evening.
Here's a recap from what we learned at the event, and some photos from the evening.
The evening began with Chapter Co-Leader [Kevin O'Shaughnessy](www.travelmassive.com/@okev) warming up the crowd by inviting [John Maguire](www.travelmassive.com/@john-maguire-1044095694) (CEO, TripAdmit) and [Gavin Rooney](www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-rooney) (CEO, AnotherTrip HQ) to the stage to shoot the breeze. Both startups are recent participants in [NDRC](www.ndrc.ie), Ireland’s national accelerator for high-growth tech companies.
* [TripAdmit](tripadmit.com/?ref=travelmassive) (2019 cohort) helps tour and activity providers sell online, with solutions for managing digital tips, and collecting reviews. A key customer is Gray Line - a global leader in sightseeing tours and activities.
* [AnotherTrip HQ](anothertrip.com/?ref=travelmassive) (2025 cohort) enables creators and operators to turn travel content into bookable experience maps.
Their conversation with Kevin offered a fascinating look at how Irish startups are redefining travel technology.
Interview with Bobby Healy
Once arrived (straight from the airport, no less!), [Bobby Healy](www.linkedin.com/in/bhealy/) took the stage. Bobby’s remarkable entrepreneurial story spans many chapters including building Nintendo video games, founding Eland Technologies (later sold to SITA), and starting [CarTrawler](corporate.cartrawler.com/en-gb/), the world’s largest mobility marketplace for airlines.
Bobby is now leading [Manna](www.manna.aero/?ref=travelmassive), a “Drone Delivery as a Service” and [Meili](www.meili.travel), an unapologetic competitor to Cartrawler, that focuses on smarter, leaner tech and less overhead.
Healy believes Manna’s drone technology can take on Amazon in the race for last-mile delivery, whether that’s a coffee from an independent cafe or a book from a local bookstore. When asked about use cases, he admitted coffee is adoption fuel for drone delivery.
Bobby was interviewed by [James Lemon](www.travelmassive.com/@james-lemon-3366051289), who leads Stripe’s global growth across hospitality, travel, leisure, and transport. Lemon’s own experience (founder of Otolo, and leadership roles at IHG, Hostmaker, and Travelport) made him an ideal host for the conversation.
So, what did we learn? Bobby shared candid reflections on building companies, technology choices, and the future of travel:
* On Meili vs. CarTrawler: Owning the consumer came at huge cost (e.g., fraud, call centres, and customer management). Meili is designed to change that, with 48 people doing what once required 600.
* On Build vs. Buy: “Buy for market expertise or speed. But if it’s just a tech problem—build.” Manna outsources components and some software, as the key metric is time to market.
* On B2B vs. B2C: Focus on B2B for faster revenue; you don’t need huge capital to build travel tech.
* On Building in Ireland: “We can create billion-dollar companies here,” he said, praising Enterprise Ireland for its support.
* On Talent Acquisition: “Look around—how many women are in this room?” (the answer was “four” which is very unusual for a Travel Massive Dublin Chapter event). He noted Meili’s team is over 50% women and stressed the need for more programs to attract young talent, even before college.
* On the Future: Optimistic—citing the drop in compute costs, tech’s impact on healthcare, and global economic growth.
Taking questions from the floor, Chapter Co-Leader [Amanda Campbell](www.travelmassive.com/@amanda-campbell) ([T2RL](www.t2rl.com/?ref=travelmassive)) asked about an AI bubble. Bobby acknowledged “some punchy valuations” and warned that “there isn’t a future until we solve the energy problem.”
[Ultan O’Brien](www.travelmassive.com/@ultan-o-brien-8176284360) ([Airportr](www.airportr.com/?ref=travelmassive)) turned to car hire, asking why it is still so frustrating for customers. Bobby cited “a race to the bottom on price” and “too much fragmentation”, but noted brands like Enterprise and Sixt are improving loyalty and experience.
— Thanks to everyone who attended and supported the event!
👋 Stay connected with travel innovators in Dublin. Join our [Dublin Travel Massive](www.travelmassive.com/posts/dublin-travel-massive-311524526) to be notified of upcoming events and connect with other members. See you at our next event!
Thanks to our Dublin Travel Massive community who joined our Founders Fireside Chat at Stripe’s stunning new Wilton Park offices for an evening of insights and lively discussion.
The event drew 45 attendees, including representatives from PhocusWire, Plan3, Tenable, Klarna, Engineering Insights, OpenVentures, IrishAero, Hornblower Group, Magpie Travel, and many more.
See you at our next event!
Great writeup, thanks Amanda and team!
I'm always telling people that Dublin is a traveltech epicentre — there's so many smart minds here collaborating in the engine room of global travel distribution.
Also sharing @linda-fox's writeup on PhocusWire:
What travel tech entrepreneur Bobby Healy would build if he had another life
www.phocuswire.com/bobby-healy-travel-distribution-ai-meili
Looking forward to my next visit to Dublin and meeting some of these amazing folks 🍻
HERE'S THE NEXT 5 UPCOMING EVENTS:
Join us for the Final Pitch Contest and Award Ceremony of the Social Entrepreneurs in Tourism Competition 2025!
On November 17, the 10 finalists will pitch their ventures live to an international Jury and audience. The Jury will select the winners in two categories: Launch Track and Growth Track.
Save the date:
📅 November 17, 2025
🕑 14:00 CET
📍 Online – Livestream available
The finalists have completed a high-impact mentoring program with global experts and are now ready to present their socially driven tourism innovations.
🟩 Launch Track Finalists
• Legends in the Landscape – Nepal 🇳🇵
• EveryWhere – Vietnam 🇻🇳
• Project Revitalise – Nepal 🇳🇵
• Retiro – Argentina 🇦🇷
• ZeroTrail Climate Action Vehicle – India 🇮🇳
🟦 Growth Track Finalists
• Abasuba Eco-Cultural Exploration – Kenya 🇰🇪
• The Portal: Destination Storyliving – Botswana 🇧🇼
• Velout – Germany 🇩🇪
• Indulge Me – Brazil 🇧🇷
• CarbonTrace .in – India 🇮🇳
🏆 Winners will receive financial support, international visibility, and tailored support from our network of partners.
🔔 Register on Travel Massive to watch live.
🎥 The event will be livestreamed and recorded.
💡 Learn more about the Competition at: socialtourismcompetition.com
Link to event pageBangkok Travel Industry Social — A Social and Networking Evening with Travel Massive and friends.
Travel Massive Bangkok invites travel industry professionals, creators and founders to an exclusive travel industry innovation night. Coinciding with the NoVacancy Hotel & Accommodation Industry Expo (18-19 November in Bangkok), join us at a private gathering of travel change-makers, hospitality brands, and creators reshaping the future of travel.
Travel Massive first timer or long-standing regular, we're looking forward to welcoming you!
🍺 Venue: The Smokin' Pug (Downstairs from 6-8, then upstairs)
📍 Location: 1105 Langsuan Road, Lumpini Park (maps.app.goo.gl/S5DH946M7saBdAsv6)
🗓️ Date: Tuesday, 18th November 2025
🕕 Time: 6pm - 9pm
👉 Spaces are limited, RSVP is essential
🍸 Happy hour and appetizer specials (discounted menu) for attendees.
We're excited to unite the Bangkok Travel Massive community and bring together any visitors who are in town for a social evening at The Smokin' Pug BBQ. This is a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones — come and meet with like minded professionals and creators in the industry.
Hosting us will be Anne Somanas, Thailand Correspondent at TTG Asia Media, and Ric Gazarian, founder of the Extraordinary Travel Festival (October 2026 in Bangkok) and Counting Countries Podcast.
🌏 About Travel Massive: The Travel Massive network connects a global community of more than 80,000 travel industry leaders, innovators and creators shaping the future of the travel industry.
🌴 About the venue: Smokin' Pug is a down to earth, tiny BBQ joint that opened in early 2015, created by husband and wife team Danny and Dana. The food combined with music and ambience offers an authentic, fun dining experience. Learn more at www.smokinpugbbq.com/our-story
We look forward to seeing you there!
— The Travel Massive team
Link to event pageMeet over 100 people who visited every country in the world – all in one place (ONLINE).
Our aim is to break the world record of participation in an online event by those who have been to every country by bringing together at least 100 under one (virtual) banner.
NomadMania always strives to come up with innovative ideas that stimulate and celebrate the travel community, so this year we have thought of a novel way to present the 5th NomadMania Awards.
See the full program and join at nomadmania.com/awards2025/
Link to event pageWe’re mixing things up this month! Instead of our usual spot at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, the amazing team at CreateFuture will be hosting us in their vibrant space for an evening full of inspiration, conversation, and connection.
Expect a lively panel discussion exploring the latest trends and opportunities shaping the future of TravelTech followed by plenty of time to chat, share ideas, and enjoy a drink with others in the community.
Whether you’re building a startup, coding the next big thing, crafting campaigns, or simply curious about where travel and technology meet, you’ll be in great company.
Come along, reconnect, and leave with fresh ideas (and maybe a few new friends).
📍 Location: CreateFuture (formerly known as xDesign)
Level 1, The Stamp Office, 10 Waterloo Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3EG, UK
Learn more about Traveltech for Scotland at www.traveltech.scot
Link to event pageWhere Ideas, Adventure and Connection Meet
We're heading back to the Swiss Alps for the 2nd edition of Snomad Fest Switzerland (Dec 7–14, 2025) – a week that blends creativity, learning and mountain adventure in one unforgettable experience.
It's not your usual conference. At Snomad Fest, you're invited to contribute, not just listen. From inspiring keynotes and unconference sessions to spontaneous workshops led by participants, every day is about learning from one another and co-creating something meaningful.
What to expect
🎿 Mornings bring talks and creative sessions
🏔️ Afternoons are for skiing in 4 Vallées/Verbier – one of Europe's premier ski resorts with 410km of slopes (ski pass included!)
⛷️ Or explore the mountains through snowboarding, snowshoeing, or winter hiking
🌙 Evenings for shared meals, spa nights, storytelling, connection and much more
Whether you're an entrepreneur, freelancer, remote worker, digital nomad or just seeking meaningful connection and adventure – this is your chance to share your skills, connect deeply and recharge surrounded by nature and like-minded people.
How to participate
At Snomad Fest Switzerland, there are various opportunities for you to engage and add value to the community.
Unconferences and Networking in Nature's Lap: Discover a unique blend of learning and connection at our unconferences and networking events, set against the serene backdrop of a cozy chalet and the majestic peaks of mountains. These gatherings are designed to foster open exchanges and spontaneous conversations, providing a refreshing departure from traditional conferences.
Mastermind Sessions - Engage and Lead: Participate in enriching mastermind sessions, where you can either contribute your insights or take the lead in facilitating discussions. These sessions are tailored for collaborative learning and sharing, allowing you to delve into diverse topics and gain new perspectives.
Storytelling Night - Share and Captivate: Join us for a special storytelling night, an evening dedicated to the art of storytelling. Here, you are encouraged to share your own stories, captivating the audience with your narrative flair. This event offers a platform to express creativity, share experiences, and connect through the power of storytelling.
A Blend of Intellectual and Natural Exploration: Our events offer a unique combination of intellectual stimulation and natural beauty. They provide an opportunity not just to gain new insights but also to form meaningful connections in an environment that balances thought-provoking activities with the tranquility and inspiration of nature.
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📍 Location: Relais de Dranse, Liddes, Switzerland
👉 View the full program and get tickets: nomad-fest.com/snomad_fest_switzerland
Questions? Email nomadfest@frilingue.ch
Join us in the Alps this December! 🏔️❄️
Link to event pageHello Toronto Travel Massive community,
Please join us on December 10, 2025 for an exciting FlixBus event, an affordable intercity transit option that will allow you to see more of Canada (and the world) without a car.
About FlixBus
Looking to explore North America without breaking the bank? FlixBus makes it easy with affordable, comfortable, and convenient rides to top destinations across the continent. Whether you're heading to NYC, Niagara Falls, or beyond, our buses offer free Wi-Fi, spacious seating, and a more sustainable way to travel. Sit back, relax, and let us get you there – without the stress of driving or the high cost of flying. Learn more on www.flixbus.com.
This event is for: Active travel media and creators (journalists, reporters, bloggers, creators, influencers, YouTubers, podcasters)
⏰ Schedule of activities:
6:00 PM: Arrival and networking
7:30 PM: Presentation
8:15 PM: Giveaway winners announced
8:30 PM: Event ends
🎁 FlixBus giveaway details, get ready to travel 🥳
The giveaway will be a raffle at the end of the event on December 10, 2025. Participants can have multiple entries in the raffle, here is how you can earn entry points 🎲
Ways to win 🎁
1️⃣ Tell us where you’d like to go with FlixBus by sharing a story on Instagram or tagging us in feed post. The post must be live between November 18 and December 9, 2025, make sure to tag and follow @travelmassiveTO and @FlixBus + use hashtags #FlixBus #TravelMassiveToronto [One point]
2️⃣ By participating in the in-person activities at the event.
Prizes:
🥇FlixBus roundtrip ticket valid for use in North America + a $200 dining gift card at Revé Restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake 🚌 🥂.
🥈FlixBus roundtrip ticket valid for use in North America 🚌.
🥉Miscellaneous participation prizes throughout the evening 🥳.
T&C: The travel voucher must be using within 12 months of event date. The winner must be physically present at the event on December 10, 2025 to achieve the reward.
💬 Join the conversation:
Travel Massive:
Instagram: @travelmassiveTO #TravelMassiveToronto for Travel Massive
Flixbus:
Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, Linkedin: @FlixBus #FlixBus
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/EinfachBusfahren
Revé Restaurant giveaway partner
Instagram: @experiencereve byreve.com
🎟️ Event registration: there is a maximum capacity, so make sure to register. If there is a waitlist still sign up in case someone is no longer able to come we will add people from the waitlist. In the meantime, please have a look at your Travel Massive profile and take a moment to make sure it is up to date.
And remember to Always join the waitlist, cancelations happen, capacity can change.
👉 Please note:
* All guests must be registered to attend.
* No +1s please.
* Must be an active member of the travel industry to attend with an approved and updated profile on TravelMassive.com, please make sure to describe what your role is in the travel industry and add associated social media and website links.
👉 Cancellations: If you are no longer able to attend, please try to release your ticket 72 hrs (3 days) before the event so others can attend. Thank you for understanding.
🚨As these events are limited capacity we have a 3-strike no show policy.
📸 This event will be photographed by a member of a Travel Massive team or/and our event partner. If you do not wish to be photographed please let us know upon arrival.
Land acknowledgment
We wish to acknowledge the Ancestral Traditional Territories of the Ojibway, the Anishnabe and, in particular, the Mississauga’s of the New Credit whose territories we gather on. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties.
Here's the 10 latest classified ads:
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